It’s almost Christmas and you’re looking for the perfect gift for your loved ones? A psychotherapist explains what mistakes to avoid when giving a gift. Explanations.
Finding the perfect gift is no easy task! And during the Christmas holidays, we often have several gifts to offer for different loved ones or family members. As a result, we can quickly run out of ideas and settle for gifts that are not very symbolic, simply to respect tradition and have a package to offer. However, the psychology behind gift giving is more complex than it seems. Some gifts may be revealing our bond of attachment or how we position ourselves.
To avoid sending bad messages, Suzanne Degges-White, doctor of psychology, explains to Psychology Today what are mistakes not to make when we give a gift. According to the psychotherapist, the gifts chosen from superficial way, just for “make a present”, or those who are chosen by someone else that the donor are often disappointing. But that’s not all, “Gifts that are much more expensive than a person can easily afford can also create problems. Feelings of guilt can arise from accepting a gift that is too valuable.”
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How to find the perfect gift?
You therefore need to find the right balance between a gift that is neither too expensive nor too banal. Indeed, according to the psychologist, certain gifts can reflect “excessive involvement of the donor’s ego.” Namely, the flashy gifts, gifts distributed in excess where quality is lost in favor of quantity. Furthermore, the psychologist points out that gifts focused on experiences are often more valuable than material gifts. Indeed, the latter involve spending time with the recipient or offering them an experience that they will remember and keep a happy memory.
“The best gifts are always those that speak to the heart of the recipient in a language they understand. Listen and observe your recipient,” advises the psychologist. Before adding: “Invite him to share his thoughts on what the “ideal gift” would be. Even if you can’t get him exactly what he wants, you’ll have an idea of the type of gift he’s most likely to like. By learning their language, you will be much better able to let your heart speak to the heart of your recipient.” she concludes. Indeed, the purpose of a gift is to please and there is nothing better for that than to question the recipient to find out more.
Passionate about women’s news, Agathe has been deciphering the latest trends for aufeminin since 2022. Her favorite areas? Psychology, nutrition and well-being advice, without forgetting the tips…